Law society defends courts, judges

The Law Society of South Africa has come out in defence of the courts and judges. It said any attack on them was aimed at undermining the rule of law in the country.

"Attacks on Chief Justice Pius Langa, pictured, the Constitutional Court, other members of the judiciary and institutions of justice undermine the legitimacy of the judiciary, the courts and our democracy," said the society (LSSA) yesterday.

The courts, especially the Constitutional Court, have come under fire from Jacob Zuma's supporters. They accused the institutions of being part of a political campaign against their president.

Last week, Zuma's supporters lambasted the Constitutional Court decision to reject Zuma's attempt to get raids conducted on properties declared illegal. Several documents to be used as evidence in Zuma's corruption case were confiscated during the raids.

Zuma's supporters said the decision was preparing the public for a negative outcome in his trial. They also lashed out at Langa, who subsequently delivered a lecture that attacks on the courts undermine the integrity of the judiciary.

They said Langa deliberately made the comment just days before Zuma appeared in the Pietermaritzburg high court to have the charges against him withdrawn.

"Recent statements that the judgments of any court, including the Constitutional Court, and addresses by the chief justice at public functions are a so-called strategy and timed to coincide with the commencement of the case against the president of the ruling party are ludicrous and disrespectful towards the chief justice and the Constitutional Court," the LSSA said.